Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino hints that he’s happy using Nicolas Jackson in multiple different positions.
Blues star Nicolas Jackson, 22, has spent most of this debut season so far at Stamford Bridge playing as the central striker.
However, the Senegal international started as the left-winger during Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Aston Villa in midweek. He was fantastic in the wide position, too!
The speedster scored on Wednesday night to take his tally up to nine goals in 25 appearances since arriving last summer from Villarreal.
We, along with the fanbase, have questioned his role as an out-and-out striker in recent months. But it looks like Mauricio Pochettino may have a great solution.
Speaking in Friday’s press conference, Pochettino spoke very positively about Jackson when asked about the Chelsea forward.
It’s interesting to hear the explanation that the 22-year-old is more suited to the wing.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
“The starting point, yes, he was on the left. But football is dynamic and he has to move, no? Yes, I think he is a player that can play in this place. I am so happy because the characteristics, he always plays better when he is facing the goal rather than his back to the goal,” Pochettino said, as quoted by Football.London.
“He is more comfortable. The pace, the speed, the capacity to arrive from the second line. He showed in the goal he scored how he arrives from the second line and can score. I am so happy because the commitment is amazing, also. After arriving from the Africa Cup of Nations, it is important for him to recover and feel the net. So happy. Very pleased with his performance.”
Nicolas Jackson position
We’ll be stunned if Jackson doesn’t start from the left flank again when Chelsea travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Monday night.
It seems like the Blues can get the best out of his physicality on and off the ball when that’s his starting point.
Speaking via Sky Sports recently, Kalidou Koulibaly insisted that Jackson’s got a great future ahead of him at Chelsea. We think more and more people will start to believe him soon…
